Princeton Fire Chief David F. Cobb — the town’s first full-time fire chief and its fire department’s only full-time employee — was arraigned this morning on two drug charges in Worcester District Court for allegedly stealing narcotics from the town’s ambulance.

Chief Cobb, 45, of 100 Cutler Rd., in the Jefferson section of Holden, was arraigned on one count of larceny of a drug, and one count of obtaining drugs by fraud. He was released on personal recognizance, and scheduled to return to court on Dec. 3.

The investigation into Chief Cobb’s alleged theft began earlier this year, when pharmacists at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester, and Heywood Hospital in Gardner notified state police that “excessive amounts of narcotics were being dispensed to the Princeton Fire Department,” according to a state police report included in court records.

State Police conducted an audit of the narcotics being dispensed to the Princeton Fire Department, and found that varying amounts of Fentanyl, morphine, valium and versed were unaccounted for. Chief Cobb was the primary record keeper of narcotics for the Princeton Fire Department and had signed out the drugs that were dispensed from the two hospitals, the report said.

“He is responsible for replenishing new stock,” the report said. There were numerous “questionable” log notes that indicated that narcotics were picked up, but that they were “wasted.” There were no corresponding log entries about how the drugs were wasted, the report said. In several instances, the narcotics count for the Princeton ambulance was changed without explanation, the report noted.

According to the police report, the fraud occurred on or about May 31 of this year. State police attempted to interview Mr. Cobb “with negative results,” the report said.

State Trooper Brenda Watts wrote that a photo of Chief Cobb, and a photo of another man, were shown to pharmacy employees at the two hospitals. Three of the employees, two at St. Vincent Hospital and one at Heywood Hospital, identified Mr. Cobb as the man to whom they dispensed the narcotics. Three other employees could not identify Chief Cobb.

Chief Cobb, who selectmen placed on paid administrative leave in July, had been appointed the town’s first full-time fire chief in January, according to Town Administrator John Lebeaux. The town had been notified by the police of the investigation into Chief Cobb’s alleged theft in June, he said.

Chief Cobb had previously served as a full-time firefighter/paramedic for the town of Holden, and had been a part-time lieutenant and firefighter in Princeton. Besides the chief, the town’s firefighters are part-time, on-call firefighters, Mr. Lebeaux said.

“I’m continuing the discussion with selectmen about how the town will proceed,” Mr. Lebeaux said today. When Chief Cobb was placed on administrative leave, John Bennett was promoted to acting fire chief, he said.

Attempts to reach Chief Cobb, and his Worcester-based attorney, John Vigliotti, were unsuccessful today.

CDL A DELIVERY DRIVERS Home Every Night! Needed for our Worcester Depot! Drive local - No more spending valuable nights away from your family! As a Direct Store Delivery Representative YOU have the opportunity to make a difference with our customers! Provide excellent customer service; interact in a positive manner with our customers; deliver our products to local stores. Be home every night! Work for a Company that has been around for over 80 years! Minimum of 3 months driving experience with CDL A/B; GED or HS diploma required; Must be able to drive a standard transmission. EEO/Veteran/Disability Growing Strong Since1933!